That is the question, to run a VC or not to run a VC?
VC = Viscous Coupler
Background:
The VC on my '97 FZJ80 is locked up. Front drive shaft is out for now but I'll be servicing the front axle soon, reinstalling the front shaft and then plan to either pull the VC and run without it or source a used one to replace my locked up VC with. The 80 is primarily for getting into the woods and exploring with no pursuit of hard wheeling (rock crawling, mud bogging, deep fording, etc.) that can be avoided. Tires/lift will stay within an inch or two of stock. The truck has axle lockers and if I don't replace the VC I'll do the mod for locking the center diff in high range.
My preference leans towards replacing the VC so that the truck is more sure-footed on wet, gravel, slick roads etc. I also drive a newer Subaru Outback and I like knowing I'm not going to spin a tire on a rainy day when I aggressively accelerate to merge etc. My understanding is that without a VC the 80 will essentially be 1wd (open center and axle diffs) which makes it more likely that I'll spin a tire in the slick stuff vs never noticing the slick spots. For what it's worth, driving around with only rear wheel drive I spin a tire more than I'd like. Lots of steep hills in my neighborhood in the wet is the primary reason.
I've read from some on mud that no VC is preferable. One reason may be to avoid binding in tight turns with high traction, another may be because the VC isn't very effective in their opinion and no VC is a simplification.
What are some of the pros and cons of VC vs. no VC? Should I source a replacement or run without?
Thanks!
VC = Viscous Coupler
Background:
The VC on my '97 FZJ80 is locked up. Front drive shaft is out for now but I'll be servicing the front axle soon, reinstalling the front shaft and then plan to either pull the VC and run without it or source a used one to replace my locked up VC with. The 80 is primarily for getting into the woods and exploring with no pursuit of hard wheeling (rock crawling, mud bogging, deep fording, etc.) that can be avoided. Tires/lift will stay within an inch or two of stock. The truck has axle lockers and if I don't replace the VC I'll do the mod for locking the center diff in high range.
My preference leans towards replacing the VC so that the truck is more sure-footed on wet, gravel, slick roads etc. I also drive a newer Subaru Outback and I like knowing I'm not going to spin a tire on a rainy day when I aggressively accelerate to merge etc. My understanding is that without a VC the 80 will essentially be 1wd (open center and axle diffs) which makes it more likely that I'll spin a tire in the slick stuff vs never noticing the slick spots. For what it's worth, driving around with only rear wheel drive I spin a tire more than I'd like. Lots of steep hills in my neighborhood in the wet is the primary reason.
I've read from some on mud that no VC is preferable. One reason may be to avoid binding in tight turns with high traction, another may be because the VC isn't very effective in their opinion and no VC is a simplification.
What are some of the pros and cons of VC vs. no VC? Should I source a replacement or run without?
Thanks!